Chinese woman adopted stray dogs. Then, she cooked and ate them, posted videos

Indian Express

21-05-2025

What started as a heartwarming tale of dog adoption ended in horror. A woman in China is under investigation after allegedly adopting stray dogs from rescue shelters, only to kill, cook, and post videos of the meals online.
Known by the alias Zhixuan, the woman reportedly posed as an animal lover, reaching out to multiple shelters in Liaoning province through messaging apps. She claimed she wanted to give stray dogs a safe home. Instead, she took them straight to the kitchen, according to the South China Morning Post.
Screenshots circulating on Chinese social media show Zhixuan posting videos of herself preparing dog meat. One caption read, 'Dog meat is almost ready. Perfect for a rainy day with a drink.' In another, her child is seen eating the meat, with the caption: 'Only the best for the kid.'
The revelations prompted immediate action from the rescue community. Tan, the director of one of the affected shelters, said he was alarmed by the reports and verified the woman's identity through her social media activity, the same report added. He then alerted other shelters and pet shops to prevent further adoptions by her. 'She messaged me privately but showed no remorse,' he said.
Although eating dog meat is not illegal in most parts of China—and is still celebrated in places like Yulin in the south—the practice is increasingly controversial amid growing pet ownership and changing public attitudes. The woman's actions sparked a viral backlash on platforms like Weibo, where related topics gathered over 10 million views.
'People like Zhixuan are despicable,' one user wrote, the SCMP report said. 'Those poor stray dogs thought they had found a loving home, only to be taken straight to hell.' Another demanded stronger animal protection laws, asking, 'When will China enact laws to punish those who show such blatant disregard for life?'
Authorities have since confirmed that Zhixuan did cook and eat dog meat. The local Market Supervision Bureau has seized the meat and launched an investigation. Her social media account has been locked, with all posts hidden and friend requests disabled.
China does not have nationwide laws banning the consumption of dog meat, though some cities have moved in that direction. In 2020, Shenzhen became one of the first to outlaw it, imposing steep fines on violators. Meanwhile, traditional beliefs about dog meat's supposed health benefits—such as boosting male virility or easing arthritis—persist, despite a lack of scientific evidence and concerns about food safety.
Animal welfare advocates say the incident highlights a critical need for more robust adoption protocols and national legislation to protect animals from abuse under the guise of care.